Journalism in disaster prevention: 3 functions affirming its important role

More than 900 entries

On May 26, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control (NSCNDPC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Vietnam Journalists' Association, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) held a ceremony to honor and give prizes to winners of the second National Press Award on Disaster Prevention and Control under the main sponsorship of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) accompanying the Central Retail Vietnam Group and Toyota Vietnam Company.

The 2nd National Press Award themed "For a safe society against natural disasters - Proactively adapting to climate change" was launched on October 13, 2020, on the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management, following the success of the first event which had attracted active participation of journalists, reporters, and editors from central and local press agencies. 

By the end of December 31, 2021, the Award Organizing Board received a total of 918 works in 5 categories including 302 works of print, 252 of online, 73 of TV, 39 of radio and 252 of photos by 300 authors who are journalists, reporters, contributors from nearly 100 press agencies of central and local levels.

The organizing board, through a jury consisting of prestigious journalists with national press awards, selected 4 works for the first prize, 5 for the second prize, 10 for the third prize, and a press agency with the most entries. Some 15 works were also selected for the consolation prize and 1 for the award "The most impactful story". Two companion prizes were also given to units that have made great contributions to disaster prevention and control.

Together with the Electricity Information Center of the EVN, the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper (VAN) has received the Companion Prize for its contributions and support in organizing the event as well as to disaster prevention and control. Author Nguyen Tam Phung of the VAN was awarded the Consolation Prize for the work "Crossing the water to save people in the flood".

Newspapers and media are an important "bridges"

Speaking at the ceremony, MARD Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Head of the Award Organizing Committee, said the quantity and quality of winning works this time is higher than the previous one.

Deputy Minister Hiep said that information and communication to increase social awareness on natural disaster prevention and control act as a "bridge" to promptly transmit warnings and forecasts to the community so that it can prepare for prevention, and improve knowledge and skills in disaster control and response.

In the information network on natural disaster prevention and control, press agencies and newspapers from central to local levels are the core force under close relationships with natural disaster prevention and control agencies at all levels...," said the head of the Organizing Board.

Accompanying the NSCNDPC in organizing this Press Award, UNDP Vietnam has shown its role as an international organization to actively coordinate with Vietnam in improving public awareness and reduce disaster risks.

Speaking at the Award Ceremony, Ms. Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative for Vietnam, affirmed that the media has played an important role in disaster prevention, response and recovery with three specific functions. 

First, the press has helped raise awareness and promote the participation and action of the community. Second, it can make people understand and know how to avoid natural disasters and climate change. Third, it helps provide and share information about climate change for scientists and policymakers.

The media's unwavering dedication to improving awareness and disseminating information related to disasters is vital as we work together to rapidly adapt to climate change, reduce risks of natural disasters and build a sustainable future, a society safe from disasters in Vietnam, so that no one is left behind, said the UNDP Vietnam Resident Representative. 

 The National Press Award on Disaster Prevention and Control is one of a series of meaningful events in 2022 in response to the National Disaster Prevention and Control Week (May 15-22) with the theme "Sustainable Community, Disaster Adaptation" and the Traditional Day of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control (May 22). It was held following the announcement of the provincial capacity indicators for natural disaster prevention and control and a series of activities including the golden bell ringing contest and painting extracurricular event themed "With Children to Prevent Natural Disasters - Create a Sustainable Future" and a meeting to respond to National Disaster Prevention and Control Week in Soc Trang province.